If you’re new to writing science fiction, our beginner’s guide will help you to get started.
On the other hand, if you’ve written a science fiction novel and are about to submit it to a publisher, or a literary agent, ensure you’ve got your manuscript professionally edited.
Below you’ll find 17 top science fiction book editors.
1. Sarah Kolb-Williams
Sarah Kolb-Williams is an editorial consultant and editor based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. She offers copyediting, substantive editing, and comprehensive assessment. Copyediting is available for all non-fiction and fiction genres, while comprehensive assessments are only available for fantasy and science fiction. Sarah’s copyediting rates begin at $0.02 per word and comes with follow-up support via email. Learn more about her editing services here to determine which service works best for you.
You can request an editing quote by filling out Sarah’s quote request form and uploading a copy of your manuscript. If you have additional questions, you can get in touch with Sarah here.
2. C.S. Lakin
C.S. Lakin of Live Write Thrive is a California-based novelist, editor, and writing coach. She has written around 20 novels and 10 non-fiction books about writing. Despite the advice of agents and publishers, C.S. Lakin refuses to stick to just one genre and enjoys writing young adult science fiction, fantasy, and fairy tales for adults. She offers basic proofreading, content editing, and overall manuscript assessments. You can find more information about her services here.
Contact C.S. Lakin to hire her as your editor or to schedule an appointment to discuss your manuscript in detail.
3. Howard Mittelmark
Howard Mittelmark is an editor, writer, and book critic based in New York. He is the author of the bestselling guide How Not to Write a Novel and the 2007 book Age of Consent. As an editor, he works on both non-fiction and fiction manuscripts, but he specializes in fantasy, science fiction, mysteries, contemporary romance, and thrillers. He offers two primary services: developmental editing and line editing. Developmental editing may cost up to $0.05 per word, depending on the manuscript, while line editing may cost up to $0.08 per word. Check out his website to learn more about his editorial services and fees.
If you would like Howard to take a look at your science fiction manuscript, you can send him an email here.
4. Philip Athans
Philip Athans of Athans & Associates is an editor based in New York. He is also the bestselling author of Annihilation, as well as other horror and fantasy books such as The Guide to Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction, Writing Monsters, and Completely Broken. As an editor, he specializes in fantasy, horror, and science fiction. He offers substantive editing starting at $0.03 per word, which includes a full review of your completed manuscript and covers dialog, plot structure, characters, and writing style. Check out his rate card for more information about his services and pricing.
If you would like to get in touch with Philip to inquire about his services and availability, you can send him an email.
5. Katie McCoach
Katie McCoach of KM Editorial is a developmental editor located in Los Angeles, California. She works with both first time authors and more experienced writers who need a fresh pair of eyes, and many of the authors she has worked with have gone on to win awards. Katie is experienced in editing books across various genres, but her specialties are science fiction, dystopia, and romance for YA and adult readers.
She offers developmental editing starting at $0.017 per word and substantive editing starting at $0.018 per word. She also offers hourly coaching via phone or email starting at $500 for three hours. You can find the full list of her services here.
If you would like to work with Katie, you can start by filling out her online inquiry form.
6. Victoria Mixon
Based in California, Victoria Mixon is an independent editor and award-winning author specializing in mystery, fantasy, and science fiction. She also works on memoirs, narrative non-fiction, short stories, and other fiction genres. She offers developmental editing, line editing, and other editorial services. Rates depend on the specifics of the project.
If you would like to hire Victoria to edit your manuscript, you can get in touch with her via email to get an estimate. Since she already has a large roster of clients, it would help to include a brief explanation why you think Victoria is the right editor for your book.
7. Kali Keogh
Kali Keogh is an experienced editor and the founder of OCD Editor. Some of the books she has edited include Scarlet Risque’s Red Hourglass, Dek Gleeson’s Daydreams and Nightmares, and Mike Cooney’s Fearless Finn’s Murderous Adventure. Kali offers three editing packages: Overtired, Conflicted, and Distressed. The Overtired package includes basic proofreading and copyediting. The Conflicted package includes proofreading, copyediting, developmental editing, and line editing. The Distressed package includes everything in the first two packages, plus fact checking and post-editing. Kali’s rates start at $0.02 per word, and you can find all the details about each of her editorial packages here.
For inquiries, you can get in touch with Kali through the online contact form on her website.
8. Bryony Sutherland
Based in the UK, Bryony Sutherland is an author and freelance book editor with nearly two decades of experience in various areas of the publishing industry. Her preferred genres are science fiction, urban fantasy, thrillers, speculative fiction, dystopian fiction, and horror. She offers developmental editing and copyediting, and she has several editing packages for you to choose from. You can learn more about her services here. Prices vary based on the length of your manuscript and how much editing it requires, and you can send her a short sample to get an estimate.
If you would like to get a quote or if you have additional questions for Bryony, you can reach her here.
9. Toby Selwyn
Toby Selwyn is a UK-based editor and an advanced professional member of the Society for Editors and Proofreaders. He studied Modern Languages and Literature at Oxford University and worked as managing editor at Taylor & Francis before launching his freelance editing business in 2013. He specializes in editing science fiction, LGBTQ fiction, thriller, horror, and fantasy. His editing services include line editing, copyediting, and proofreading, and he offers a free sample edit up to 1000 words. Although Toby is British, he is also comfortable editing in US English and regularly works with American writers.
To get a quote and inquire about Toby’s services and availability, feel free to get in touch with him here.
10. Keith Brooke
Also based in the UK, Keith Brooke is a teacher and editor who launched his own freelance editing business in 2014. He is also an accomplished author. In fact, his latest novel, alt.human, was shortlisted for the Philip K. Dick Award. He offers flexible editing and proofreading services tailored to your specific needs. The best way to determine the type of editing your manuscript requires is by getting in touch with Keith and sending him a sample. He bases his rates on the nature of the work needed. Check out the services page on his website to learn more.
Keith particularly enjoys editing science fiction and fantasy. For inquiries and any other concerns, you can reach him here.
11. Maylon Gardner
Maylon Gardner is a freelance editor based in Kelowna, British Columbia. She works with new authors who have just written their first book, as well as established authors who want to polish their manuscripts. She offers copyediting, proofreading, and developmental editing across various genres and subjects, including trade non-fiction, children’s literature, self-help books, and fiction—particularly fantasy and science fiction. She provides honest and important feedback, and she usually completes revisions within 10 to 14 days. Her rates vary depending on the details of the project.
You can request a quote or inquire about Maylon’s services by sending her an email.
12. Susan Forest
Susan Forest is a Canadian editor that specializes in fantasy, science fiction, and other forms of speculative fiction. She is also part of the Calgary Association of Freelance Editors. Some of the books she has edited include Terry Atwood’s Starborn, Sagan Jeffries’ The Trillionist, Ryan Oakley’s Technicolor Ultra Mall, and the anthology Strangers Among Us: Tales of Underdogs and Outcasts. See her full portfolio here. If you feel like Susan is the right editor for your manuscript, get in touch with her for more information about the services she offers.
You can contact Susan via email. You can also check out her Calgary Association of Freelance Editors profile here.
13. Sylvie Cote
Sylvie Cote is a freelance editor based in Winnipeg. She is a member of Editors Canada and the Manitoba Editors’ Association. Her specialties include science fiction, fantasy, romance, and academic manuscripts. She does developmental editing and line editing on manuscripts of all lengths, including short stories, novellas, and full-length novels. If you are interested in hiring Sylvie to edit your manuscript, you can request a free sample edit to see if she’s a good fit. Sample edits are free up to 1000 words. Rates are project dependent, so contact her for a quote. You can also visit her website to learn more about the services she offers.
Interested authors can get in touch with Sylvie here.
14. Kat Betts
Working out of Melbourne, Kat Betts of Element Editing Services is a professional editor who specializes in speculative fiction, specifically science fiction and fantasy. Whether it’s your first book or your 30th, Kat can help you make your manuscript shine. Her full publishing package starts at AUD $65 per 1000 words, and it includes 2 rounds of line editing and 2 rounds of proofreading. She also offers standalone services, such as copyediting, structural editing, proofreading, line editing and developmental editing. You can see a detailed breakdown of all her rates and services here.
Interested authors can get in touch with Kat through her contact form. Make sure to include a brief description of what your manuscript is about, what kind of editing you think you need, and when you plan on publishing your book.
15. Kylie Mason
Kylie Mason is an Australian editor who has worked as an inhouse editor at HarperCollins Australia and Pan MacMillan Australia. In 2009, she started her own editing business and now works with both private clients and publishing companies. Her main areas of interest are commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, crime, romance, and memoirs. She offers structural editing, copyediting, and proofreading, and her structural reports start at $900 for manuscripts up to 90,000 words. For a more detailed look at her packages and rates, you can check out her editorial services here.
If you would like to work with Kylie, you can start by sending her a message through her online inquiry form.
16. Sue Copsey
Sue Copsey is a freelance editor and writer based in Auckland, New Zealand. She has more than two decades of experience in the publishing industry, and she specializes in non-fiction, children’s fiction, and genre fiction—including fantasy, science fiction, mystery, and more. Her editorial services include developmental editing, proofreading, and copyediting. She also offers advice on design and illustration. Unlike most editors who charge by the word, Sue prefers basing her rates on the complexity of the project. This is why she offers a free 1000-word sample edit to prospective clients. Not only does it help her set an appropriate price, it also helps writers determine if her editing style is a good fit. Visit her FAQs page for more information.
Interested in working with Sue? Get in touch with her via email.
17. Judy L. Mohr
Judy L. More of Black Wolf Editorial is a New Zealand-based editor. Although she was initially trained in scientific writing, fiction is true passion—particularly science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, horror, mystery, and women’s fiction. She offers various editorial services, such as book doctoring, manuscript assessing, substantive editing, content editing, and line editing. She also offers several packages based on the length of the manuscript. Her mid-length novel package costs $800 for manuscripts up to 75,000 words, and the package includes substantive line editing, a full manuscript assessment, mentoring sessions, and email support. Learn more about her packages and services here.
If you are interested in Judy’s services, you can reach her via email or through her contact form.
Do you know of any other science fiction book editors? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis.
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